Post-Sedation Care

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After the sedation

Your child should be encouraged to drink clear liquids and continue resting. Use of nitrous oxide and oxygen mask that fits over the nose may have caused facial skin drying or other irritation. Skin cream or Vaseline should be routinely applied to the lips and nose.

Numbness

Your child's lips and cheek will be numb for several hours after the treatment. He/she should be watched carefully for biting or scratching, and should not be allowed to chew for at least two hours after returning home.

Pain and Discomfort

Your child may experience slight pain or discomfort after the local anesthetic has worn off. Give your child the weight appropriate dose of either liquid Tylenol or Motrin.

Fever

It is normal to experience a slightly elevated temperature up to 24 hours after the sedation. However, if the fever rises above 101º, or persists for more than 24 hours, please notify the office.

Bleeding or Oozing

A slight oozing of blood from the mouth for a day is considered normal. Call our office if there is excessive bleeding. Sometimes a little blood mixed with saliva may appear to be excessive.

Diet

Maintain a liquid diet for the first four hours after returning home, then a soft diet for the remainder of the day. (Soups, pasta, eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, etc.).

Brushing

Brush gently with a toothbrush that has been placed under warm water, and a pea size amount of toothpaste can begin either that evening or the next morning. It is important that an adult actually brushes the teeth for their child, not just watch the child brush. Remember a clean mouth can heal more quickly.

Crowns or Space Maintainer

If your child has had one of these procedures it is important that from now on they avoid sticky or chewy candy. These types of candies will pull the crowns or space maintainer off the teeth. There may be slight oozing or bleeding from around the crowns for several days. This is normal, and it is important to continue brushing these teeth and gums to help them heal faster.